Information About The Central Coast
The Fremont Theater is a historic movie theater in San Luis Obispo, It is among the last Streamline Moderne theaters built by architect S. Charles Lee. It opened in 1942 on the eve of U.S. entry to World War II. Throughout its early years it served both as a moving pictures theater and a live theater. It hosted war bond shows in early years and later hosted such attractions as Adam Ant and Yes.
In the late 20th century, developers wanted to raze the building to install a new multiplex, but public outcry saved the theater. The company built its multiplex next door, capitalizing off the historic structure while also supporting it financially with the additional screens.
The theater is now one of the main locations for the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival.
The Fremont Theater
When San Luis Obispo's Fremont movie theater opened its doors on Memorial Day 1942, the star-studded premiere drew celebrities such as boxer Max Baer and comedic duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy -- along with hundreds of servicemen stationed at nearby Camp San Luis Obispo and Camp Roberts.
Child star Jackie Cooper offered to kiss women who invested $100 in war bonds. And all ticket sales from the event -- which featured the West Coast premiere of "This Above All," starring Tyrone Power and Joan Fontaine -- benefited local chapters of the United Service Organizations.
Seventy years later, the Fremont remains a fully functioning theater, concert hall and event venue -- as well as one of the city's loveliest landmarks. "This is one of those theaters that we're proud to show off to visitors," said Wendy Eidson, executive director of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival. "It's just a beautiful, beautiful theater with a lot of history. It's got such a great aura."
